Hybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources

ABSTRACT

A hybrid electric vehicle having alternate fuel sources is shown. The hybrid vehicle includes an AC/DC converter for storing a direct current voltage in a storage device such as a battery. A fuel converter converts a composition fuel into a combustible material preferably hydrogen. The combustible material is stored in a combustible material storage device. The charging of a battery and the storage of the combustible fuel occur at least one of prior to the starting of and the operation of the hybrid electric vehicle. A driving system includes a direct current motor and a combustible material engine. A control device enables the driving system to be powered by the direct current voltage or the combustible material. Preferably the combustible material is hydrogen. A hydrogen fuel cell is responsive to hydrogen to produce a direct current voltage for charging a battery or driving the direct current motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a motor vehicle having alternate powersources including a direct current voltage storage device and acombustible fuel storage device and more particularly relates to ahybrid electric vehicle having separate storage devices for acombustible fuel produced by a fuel converter from a compositioncombustible fuel and for direct current voltage and wherein a controldevice that is operatively connected to a direct current motor and to acombustible material or combustible fuel engine, to selectively appliesat least one of a first control signal to the direct current motor and asecond control signal to a combustible material motor or combustiblefuel engine to enable a driving system driving the hybrid electricvehicle to be powered or driven by at least one of the direct currentvoltage and the combustible material or combustible fuel generated froma composition combustible fuel.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Hybrid electric vehicles powered by direct current motors usingbatteries as energy devices and internal combustion engines powered bygasoline are well known in the prior art. Examples of electric vehiclesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,970 and 4,009,589. U.S. Pat. No.5,343,970 discloses a hybrid electric vehicle and U.S. Pat. No.4,009,589 discloses an electric car, each of which have a gasolinepowered internal combustion gasoline engine and an electric motor whichis powered by direct current stored in batteries.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,691 discloses a hybrid drive system foroutputting the power of an internal combustion engine and the power of amotor generator through a transmission to drive the vehicle.

[0006] Numerous methods have been proposed to manage the storedelectrical power in hybrid vehicle to improve both operating performanceand driving range. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,172 discloses anoperating strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle that manages the flowof energy to both supply the motive demand power of the hybrid electricvehicle and to maintain the charge of the energy storage system.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,980 discloses an electric car drive systemhaving a car drive motor powered by a mounted direct current powersupply and a control system including a signal generating means togenerate signals which control motor speed. The direct current powersupply is composed of a power battery having secondary cells connectedto the motor and an energy battery formed by a fuel cells connected inparallel to the power battery via an energy battery control switch. Theelectric vehicle includes a charge control means to keep the charge onthe power battery using the energy batteries if charge of the powerbattery is below a specified value.

[0008] Motor vehicles having alternate source of power other thanbatteries for powering a motor vehicle are known in the art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,251 discloses a system for generatinghydrogen and oxygen using water in a tank having a solid polyelectricfilm which separates the tank into operating sections and useselectrodes for generating hydrogen. The power generating system is aseparate power source and generates a second combustible fuel which ismixed together gasoline as a first composition combustible fuel to powera motor vehicle using an internal combustion engine.

[0009] Motor vehicles have also used propane gas stored in pressurizedtank and as an alternative to gasoline as alternate source of fuel topower an internal combustion engine for driving the vehicle.

[0010] In hybrid electric vehicles and in electric cars, the batteriesfunction as a direct current voltage storage device. The batteries aretypically charged prior to use using an alternating current and knownbattery charging systems using alternating current-to-direct currentconverters. Internal combustion engines may be used to drivebattery-charging circuits and/or direct current voltage generators asmeans for maintaining a charge on the batteries during operation of thevehicle. Fuel cells, forming part of an energy battery, are connected inparallel control switch. Fuel to the power battery via an energy batterycells have been used for maintaining a charge on the power battery.

[0011] Due to the absence of standard methods and apparatus for chargingbatteries in hybrid electric vehicles and electric cars, differentmanufacturers of electric vehicles use different charging circuitsthereby requiring the user to locate and use a charging system designedfor the vehicle. This results in an inconvenience to the user, one ofmany objections and reasons inhibiting use of electric vehicles.

[0012] Another problem associate with prior art electric vehicles is theinefficient use of fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity forcharging the batteries.

[0013] Further, there is not a standard method, apparatus or systemavailable for offering alternative standardized electrical energies orcombustible fuels for charging or servicing a hybrid electric vehicle orelectric car which are equivalent to services offered in servicestations for standard gas or diesel powered motor cars using internalcombustion engines.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0014] The present invention discloses and teaches a new, novel andunique hybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources forpowering or driving a hybrid electric vehicle. This invention enablesthe hybrid electric vehicle to be serviced using a standard alternatecurrent source, a standard direct current source and/or a standardcombustible fuel source.

[0015] The hybrid electric vehicle of the present invention includes analternating current to direct current converter for producing andstoring a direct current voltage in a direct current voltage storagedevice. A fuel converter that receives a composition fuel in a firststate converts the fuel into a combustible material or combustible fuelin a second state and the combustible material or combustible fuel insaid second state is stored in a combustible material or combustiblefuel storage device. A driving system that transports the hybridelectric vehicle includes a direct current motor, which is operativelycoupled to the driving system and to the direct current voltage storagedevice. The direct current motor is responsive to the stored directcurrent voltage for driving the driving system in response to a firstcontrol signal. A combustible material motor or combustible fuel engineis operatively coupled to the driving system and is responsive to thestored combustible material or combustible fuel in the second state fordriving the driving system in response to a second control signal. Acontrol device is operatively connected to the direct current motor andto the combustible material or combustible fuel engine to selectivelyapply at least one of the first control signal to the direct currentmotor and the second control signal to the combustible material orcombustible fuel engine to enable the driving system to be driven by atleast one of the direct current voltage and the combustible material orcombustible fuel.

[0016] In addition, a new and novel method of driving or powering amotor vehicle with alternate fuel sources is disclosed and taught by thepresent invention. The method comprises the steps of producing with analternating current to direct current converter a direct currentvoltage; storing the direct current voltage in a direct current voltagestorage device; receiving with a fuel converter a fuel in a first stateand converting the fuel into a combustible material in a second state;storing the combustible material in the second state in a combustiblematerial storage device; transporting with a driving system the motorvehicle wherein the driving system includes a direct current motoroperatively coupled to the direct current voltage storage device and thedirect current motor is responsive to stored direct current voltage fordriving the driving system in response to a first control signal and acombustible material motor operatively coupled to the driving system isresponsive to stored combustible material in the second state fordriving the driving system in response to a second control signal; andselectively applying with a control device operatively connected to thedirect current motor and to the combustible material motor at least oneof the first control signal to the direct current motor and the secondcontrol signal to the combustible material motor to enable the drivingsystem to be driven by at least one of the direct current voltage andthe combustible material.

[0017] In the method, step of selectively applying may include thecontrol device selectively applying both the first control signal to thedirect current motor and the second control signal to the combustiblematerial engine to enable the driving system to be concurrently drivenby the direct current voltage and the combustible material.

[0018] The problem associated with the absence of standard methods forcharging batteries in a hybrid electric vehicle is overcome by use of adirect current voltage storage device and a combustible fuel storagedevice wherein the alternative energy source are prestored and availablein the electric vehicle prior to use.

[0019] A service facility for a hybrid electric vehicle utilizing theteachings of the present invention may offer any one of or all of thefollowing energies: (i) an alternating current, such as for example a120/240 volt, 60 hertz, single phase, alternating current or a 120/240volt, 60 hertz, three phase alternating current or a 120/208 volt, 60hertz three phase alternating current, which can be plugged into thehybrid electric vehicle or electric car to charge the direct currentvoltage storage device such as for example, a battery, and/or power afuel converter to produce and store a combustible fuel in a combustiblefuel storage device; (ii) a direct current voltage having a standardelectrical characteristic, say for example, 12 volts DC, for directlycharging a power battery thereby eliminating or bypassing the need foran AC/DC converter, the specifications of which may vary bymanufacturer; (iii) filling or charging a combustible fuel storagedevice directly with a combustible fuel which would otherwise beproduced by a composition combustible composition combustible fuel; or(iv) a composition fuel combustible such, as gasoline or other similarcomposition combustible fuel.

[0020] Thus, different charging circuits from different manufacturerswill no longer pose a problem because a standard 120/240 volts, 60 Hertzalternating current source may be used to charge the direct currentvoltage storage device, e.g. battery, and the combustible materialstorage device can be charged with a combustible fuel, e.g. hydrogen ina pressurized tank.

[0021] The prior art problems of the battery being discharged during useor operation is overcome by use a combustible fuel storage device thatcan be replenished during use by a fuel cell or fuel converter using anorganic fuel, such as for example methanol, and the converter convertsthe same to a combustible fuel, such as for example hydrogen, which isstored, used to recharge a battery or drive the combustible enginedepending on the power needs.

[0022] As improved fuel cells are developed, the types of fuel that canbe used to generate the hydrogen or other combustible fuel will becomemore extensive. Such known fuels include gasoline, hydrolysis of water,pure hydrogen and methanol or other composition combustible fuels thatcan be converted into a combustible fuel to power recharging of abattery or as fuel for a combustible fuel engine.

[0023] As economical and safe minirefineries are developed that can beinstalled into hybrid electric vehicles for use in converting fuels intohydrogen or other combustible fuels, such as for example to convertmethanol into hydrogen to feed a fuel cell or for use as a combustiblefuel to power a vehicle, the use of a separate fuel converter andcombustible fuel storage device, as disclosed and taught herein, resultsin an effective system for powering a hybrid electric vehicle foralternative fuel sources. Such hybrid electric vehicles can be servicedby a service facility offering the alternative fuels in the same manneras gasoline service stations offer multi-grade unleaded fuels forgasoline motor vehicles and diesel fuel for motor vehicles.

[0024] None of the known prior art anticipate, disclose, teach orsuggest a hybrid electric vehicle having a driving system driven by adirect current motor powered by a battery and a internal combustionengine powered by a combustible charging device adapted to be connectedto alternating current for charging the battery and wherein the hybridelectric vehicle comprises a fuel converter for receiving a compositioncombustible fuel in a first state and converting the compositioncombustible fuel into a combustible material in a second state and forstoring the combustible material in the second state in a combustiblematerial storage device. Further, the prior art does not disclose, teachor suggest a control device that is operatively connected to andcontrols the direct current motor for driving the driving system inresponse to a first control signal and the combustible material enginepowered from a separate combustible material storage device for drivingthe driving system in response to a second control signal. The controldevice is adapted to selectively applying at least one of the firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor and the second control signalto the combustible material engine to enable the driving system to bedriven by at least one of the direct current voltage and the combustiblematerial.

[0025] Therefore, one advantage of hybrid electric vehicle of thepresent invention is that fuel converter is adapted to receive acomposition combustible fuel stored in the vehicle in a first state andto convert the composition combustible fuel into a combustible materialin a second state and for storing the combustible material in the secondstate in a combustible material storage device. The vehicle can useeither or both power sources for driving or powering the vehicle.

[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that thecombustible fuel converter is responsive to a source of alternatingcurrent for converting the composition combustible fuel into acombustible material in a second state and for storing the combustiblematerial in the second state in a combustible material storage device.

[0027] Another advantage of the present invention is that a servicefacility can offer an alternating current voltage, a direct currentvoltage and a combustible fuel to charge or fill each of the separatestorage devices which are separate from a standard compositioncombustible fuel storage tank which stores a standard compositioncombustible fuel such as gasoline, methanol or the like.

[0028] A still another advantage of the present invention is that thehybrid electric vehicle control device controls the alternating currentsource to enable the battery charger to charge the battery to a desiredcharging level and the fuel converter to fill the combustible fuelstorage device to a desired volume level.

[0029] A still another advantage of the present invention is that thecontrol device in the hybrid electric vehicle can concurrently apply thefirst control signal to the direct current motor and the second controlsignal to the combustible material engine to enable the driving systemto be driven by both said direct current voltage and said combustiblematerial.

[0030] A still yet another advantage of the present invention is that anovel method of driving a motor vehicle with alternate fuel sources isdisclosed and taught by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The foregoing and other advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention when considered with the illustrations and accompanyingdrawings, which include the following Figures:

[0032]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a hybrid electric vehiclehaving a direct current voltage storage device, a fuel converter and adriving system having a direct current motor and a combustible materialor combustible fuel engine for transporting a hybrid electric vehicle;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hybrid electric vehicle wherein acontrol device controls an alternating current source to enable thebattery charger to charge the battery to a desired charging level and afuel converter produces a combustible fuel for filling the combustiblefuel storage device to a desired volume level or weight;

[0034]FIG. 3, is a block diagram of a hybrid electric vehicle using theteachings of the present invention which is capable of charging a directcurrent voltage storage device either directly from a direct currentsource or from an alternating current source and an AC/DC converter;

[0035]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of ahybrid electric vehicle using the teachings of the present inventionwherein a direct current generator is used for charging a battery; and

[0036]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of ahybrid electric vehicle using the teachings of the present inventionwherein a fuel conversion device is used for charging a combustible fuelstorage device for powering a direct current generator or for charging abattery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Typically, a hybrid electric vehicle includes a driving systemthat is driven by either or both a direct current motor powered by abattery and an internal combustion engine powered by a compositioncombustible fuel such as gasoline. A battery-charging device is adaptedto be connected to a source of alternating current for charging thebattery. The battery is charged to a desired charging level prior touse. The hybrid electric vehicle may be driven by a separate internalcombustion engine powered by a composition combustible fuel such asgasoline. During operation, the hybrid electric vehicle may includevarious means for keeping the battery charged such as regenerativebraking systems, flywheel charging systems or by use of direct currentgenerators driven by the internal combustion motor. The presentinvention as disclosed and described herein is adapted to be used withsuch hybrid electric vehicles.

[0038] In the pictorial representation of FIG. 1, a motor vehicle, whichis in the preferred the hybrid electric vehicle, is shown generally as10 and includes at the rear thereof a combustible fuel storage area 14having a fuel converter 16 and a combustible fuel storage device 18.Also located in the rear of the vehicle 10 is a direct current voltagestorage device 20.

[0039] The vehicle 10 includes a composition combustible fuel fillingand storage system that is depicted by inlet 34 to receive and store acomposition combustible fuel in a tank, such as for example, gasoline.

[0040] The hybrid electric vehicle includes an alternating current todirect current converter for producing and storing a direct currentvoltage in the direct current voltage storage device 20. Such aconverter is generally known as a battery charger that is adapted to beoperatively connected to an alternating current source. In addition, adirect current voltage source can be connected to the vehicle todirectly charge the battery with a direct current. The input plugadapted to be connected to either an alternating current source ordirect current voltage source is shown as 30. The orifice for enablingthe charging or filling of a combustible fuel storage device with acombustible fuel, such as hydrogen, is generally shown as inlet 32. Thefront of the vehicle 10 includes a driving system 22 for transporting ahybrid electric vehicle that is driven by a direct current motor 24 anda combustible material or combustible fuel engine 26.

[0041] The direct current voltage storage device 20 are main powerbatteries, such as for example lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries orother rechargeable batteries adapted for use in hybrid electric vehicle.

[0042] The block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle control systemshown generally as 50 for a hybrid electric vehicle. The includes adirect current charging system 52 which converts an alternating currentvoltage 100 applied thereto by input 102 to produce a direct currentvoltage for storage in a direct current voltage storage device 54.

[0043] The control system 50 includes a driving system 62 fortransporting a hybrid electric vehicle. The driving system 62 includes avehicle drive motor 60 and drive train 64 which drives or transport thevehicle. A direct current motor 56 is operatively coupled to the vehicledrive motor 60 of the driving system 62 and to the direct currentvoltage storage device 54. The direct current motor 56 is responsive toa stored direct current voltage for driving the vehicle drive motor inresponse to a first control signal from a control device 74. The controldevice 74 is operatively coupled to, monitors, senses and/or controlseach of the various components via conductors 82.

[0044] A composition fuel system, shown generally as 66, includes a fuelconverter, such as for example a fuel converter shown as 146 in FIG. 3,for receiving a fuel or a composition combustible fuel in a first stateand converting the fuel into a combustible material or combustible fuelin a second state. For example, the composition combustible fuel may bean organic fuel such as methanol, which is in liquid form as a firststate. The fuel converter may produce hydrogen from methanol, acombustible fuel in the form of a gas which is a combustible fuel in asecond state. The combustible material or combustible fuel in the secondstate is a gas is stored in the combustible fuel storage 68. It isenvisioned that the gas could be stored under a pressure which causesthe gas to become liquefied. The second state of the combustible fuel asused herein would include the first state and second state being thesame e.g., both liquids.

[0045] In FIG. 2, the combustible material may be a combustible fuelsuch as hydrogen. The combustible material or combustible fuel is storedin a separate combustible fuel storage 68 which can be filled to adesired volume or weight. The fuel converter 146 can be used to maintainor replenish the volume or weight of combustible fuel in the combustiblefuel storage device 66 during operation of the hybrid electric vehicle.

[0046] In FIG. 2, the composition fuel system 66 is adapted to receivean alternating current and to be responsive thereto to cause the fuelconverter, or similar device such as for example a fuel cell, to producethe combustible fuel which is stored in the combustible fuel storage 68.

[0047] A combustible material motor or combustible fuel engine 70 isoperatively coupled via a coupling member or drive member 72 to thevehicle drive motor 60 of the driving system 62. The combustible fuelmotor 70 is responsive to the stored combustible material or combustiblefuel in the second state for driving the driving system 62 in responseto a second control signal from the control device 60.

[0048] The control device 60 is operatively connected to the directcurrent motor 56 and to the combustible fuel engine 70 via conductors 80and 82 to selectively apply at least one of the first control signal tothe direct current motor 56 and the second control signal to thecombustible fuel engine 70 to enable the driving system 62 to be drivenby at least one of the direct current voltage and the motor orcombustible material. In a typical hybrid electric vehicle, the controldevice 74 via conductors 80 and 82 controls the alternating currentsources 100 and 104 to enable a battery charger to charge a battery to adesired charging level and the fuel converter to fill the combustiblefuel storage device to a desired volume or weight level.

[0049] The control device 60 may selectively apply both the firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor 56 and the second controlsignal to the material or combustible combustible fuel engine 70 toenable the driving system 62 to be concurrently driven by the directcurrent voltage source and the combustible material storage source.

[0050] The combustible fuel storage 68 can be used to drive a directcurrent generator 86 to produce a direct current voltage that is appliedvia conductor 92 to the direct current voltage storage device 54. Thedirect current generator 86 may be a fuel cell, a motor powered by thecombustible fuel to drive a direct current generator, a motor powered bythe combustible fuel to drive an alternating current generator which isapplied to a converter to produce a direct current voltage or otherdirect current generating devices as are known in the art.

[0051] In the block diagram of FIG. 3, the a hybrid electric vehicle,using the teachings of the present invention, is capable of charging adirect current voltage storage device 112 either directly from a directcurrent voltage source 120 or from an alternating current source 108 andan AC/DC converter 110. The AC/DC converter 100 applies the directcurrent voltage to the direct current voltage storage device 112 via acircuit depicted by lead 114.

[0052] A composition combustible fuel storage device 144 can be filledfrom a source such as the source labeled “composition combustible fuel”.Examples of a composition combustible fuel would include gasoline ormethanol, which can be converted into a combustible fuel such as forexample, hydrogen. The composition combustible fuel from the storagedevice 144, in its first state, would be applied to a combustible fuelconverter 146 via a transfer system depicted by lead 148.

[0053] The combustible fuel produced by the converter 146 is applied byconduit 150 to the combustible fuel storage device 138 where thecombustible fuel is stored in its second state.

[0054] In the alternative, the combustible fuel to be stored in aseparate combustible fuel storage 138 can be supplied from an externalsource depicted by arrow 140. This may be supplied by a filling station.

[0055] The direct current voltage stored in the direct current voltagestorage device 112 is applied to a direct current motor 116 to drive thevehicle drive motor 128 via a drive member depicted by lead 130. Thevehicle drive motor 128 may be powered by a combustible fuel engine 134which applies the power to the vehicle drive motor by a driving memberdepicted by lead 136.

[0056] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the common elements are identified with thesame numerals. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a direct current generatordriven from the combustible fuel engine is used to produce a directcurrent for charging a battery. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a fuelconversion device, which may be a fuel cell, can be used to produce adirect current voltage for directly charging a direct current voltagestorage device such as a battery.

[0057]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a dual fuel source for a motor vehicle.The motor vehicle comprises an alternating current to direct currentconverting system located on a motor vehicle which includes an AC/DCconverter 110 and a direct current control 160 to produce a directcurrent voltage having predetermined electrical characteristics. Thesource of an alternating current is depicted by input 108.

[0058] A direct current voltage storage device 112, located on the motorvehicle, is used for storing the direct current voltage. The directcurrent voltage is selectively applied to a direct current drive motor116 as described herein.

[0059] In FIG. 4, a fuel composition system located on the motor vehicleincludes a composition combustible fuel storage device 144, acomposition combustible fuel converter 146 and a combustible fuelstorage device 138 wherein the combustible fuel produced by converter146 is applied via conduit 150 to the combustible fuel storage 138. Thecombustible fuel storage 138 applies the combustible fuel to acombustible fuel engine 134 which powers the vehicle drive motor 128which, in turn, drives or powers a drive member depicted as 162 totransport the motor vehicle. A control device similar to control device60 in FIG. 3 provides the control signals as described hereinbefore tocontrol the operation of the direct current motor 116 and thecombustible fuel engine 134.

[0060] In FIG. 4, as the direct current voltage stored in the directcurrent voltage storage device 112 is depleted, it can be replenishedduring operation by a direct current voltage produced from a directcurrent generator 164 which is powered by the combustible fuel engine134 via a drive member depicted by lead 168. The direct current voltageis applied via lead 170 to either or both of the direct current control160 via a conductor depicted by lead 172 to recharge the storage device112 or be applied via a conductor depicted by lead 174 directly to thedirect current motor 116.

[0061] In the alternative, a direct current generator, depicted bydashed box 180, which could be for example, a fuel cell, would receivethe combustible fuel from the combustible fuel storage device 138 via aconduit 182 and produce a direct current voltage which could be appliedto the direct current control 160 via a conductor depicted by lead 184to recharge the direct current voltage storage device 112 or directly tothe direct current storage device 112.

[0062] A control device 60 programs and controls the use of the directcurrent generated by generators 164 and 180 to maintain maximumefficiency. When the hybrid electric vehicle is operatively connected toan alternating current source, the control device 60 enables theproduction of a direct voltage from at least one of an alternatingcurrent source and the combustible material.

[0063] In FIG. 5, the fuel conversion device 146 has an organiccomposition combustible fuel supplied thereto from a compositioncombustible fuel storage 208 which is filled from a compositioncombustible fuel source depicted by arrow 210.

[0064] An alternating current source, such as for example a 120/240voltage 60 hertz, three phase system, could be used to provide theelectrical power to both charge a battery, depicted by the DC storage112, and to power the fuel conversion device 146. The AC source 108would be applied to an AC/DC converter 110 as described above. The ACsource 206 would be applied to the fuel converter 146 to produce thecombustible fuel to fill or charge the combustible fuel storage device200 from an organic composition combustible fuel which is stored in thefuel storage 208. The combustible fuel from storage device 200 isapplied to the engine 134 via the fuel system depicted by lead 204.Also, a combustible fuel from a source 202 can be applied combustiblefuel can be from a to the storage device 200. The service facility.

[0065] The combustible fuel from storage 200 can be applied to acombustible fuel-to-DC generator 164 to generate a direct currentvoltage which is directly applied to the DC Storage 112 via a conductordepicted by lead 196. In the alternative, a direct current voltage froman external source depicted by arrow 190 could be applied directly toand charge the DC storage 112. This may be supplied from a servicestation facility.

[0066] Also, in the alternative, the composition fuel engine 134 canpower a direct current generator 164 via a drive member 168 to producethe direct current voltage.

[0067] A fuel cell shown by dashed box 194 could be supplied with acombustible fuel from the fuel conversion device 146 or from thecombustible fuel storage 200. The fuel cell 194 produces a directcurrent voltage which could be applied to the DC storage 112 via aconductor depicted by lead 198. The fuel cell 194 would be powered bythe combustible fuel source 200 in lieu of powering the fuel conversiondevice 146 from an alternating the current source 206.

[0068] The hybrid electric vehicle depicted by FIG. 5 would use controldevice 60 to enable the production of a direct current voltage from atleast one of an alternating current source and the combustible materialor combustible fuel and the applying of the produced direct currentvoltage to the direct current voltage storage device 112. Also, thecontrol device could apply the produced direct current voltage to atleast one of the direct current motor 116 and the direct current voltagestorage device 112.

[0069] This invention has utility for use in a hybrid electric vehiclehaving: (i) a driving system driven by a direct current motor powered bya battery; (ii) an internal combustion engine powered by a combustiblefuel; and (iii) a battery charging device adapted to be connected to asource of alternating current for charging the battery. In practicingthis invention, the hybrid electric vehicle would include a fuelconverter for receiving a composition combustible fuel in a first stateand for converting the composition combustible fuel into a combustiblematerial or combustible fuel in a second state and for storing thecombustible material or combustible fuel in the second state in acombustible material or combustible fuel storage device for use as analternative energy source.

[0070] In such a hybrid electric vehicle, a control device isoperatively connected to and controls the direct current motor fordriving the driving system in response to a first control signal and tothe internal combustible engine for driving the driving system inresponse to a second control signal. The control device is adapted toselectively apply at least one of the first control signal to the directcurrent motor 116 and the second control signal to the internalcombustible engine 134 to enable the driving system including vehicledrive motor 128 to be driven by at least one of combustible material orcombustible fuel.

[0071] In the alternative, the control device may concurrently apply thefirst control signal to the direct current motor and the second controlsignal to the internal combustible engine to enable the driving systemto be driven by at both the direct current voltage and the combustiblefuel, when necessary for additional power.

[0072] In the embodiment of the hybrid electric vehicle of FIG. 5, thecontrol device controls the alternating current source to enable thebattery charger to charge the battery to a desired charging level and toconcurrently power the fuel converter to fill the combustible fuelstorage device to a desired volume level or weight.

[0073] This invention also discloses and teaches a method of driving amotor vehicle with alternate fuel sources comprising the steps of: (a)producing with an alternating current to direct current converter adirect current voltage; (b) storing the direct current voltage in adirect current voltage storage device; (c) receiving with a fuelconverter a fuel in a first state and converting the fuel into acombustible material in a second state; (d) storing the combustiblematter in the second state in a combustible matter storage device; (e)transporting with a driving system the motor vehicle wherein the drivingsystem includes a direct current motor operatively coupled to the directcurrent voltage storage device and the direct current motor isresponsive to stored direct current voltage for driving the drivingsystem in response to a first control signal and a combustible materialmotor operatively coupled to the driving system is responsive to storedcombustible material in the second state for driving the driving systemin response to a second control signal; and (f) selectively applyingwith a control device operatively connected to the direct current motorand to the combustible material motor at least one of the first controlsignal to the direct current motor and the second control signal to thecombustible material motor to enable the driving system to be driven byat least one of the direct current voltage and the combustible material.

[0074] The method during the step of selectively applying may includethe control device selectively applying both the first control signal tothe direct current motor and the second control signal to thecombustible material engine to enable the driving system to beconcurrently driven by the direct current voltage and the combustiblematerial.

[0075] It is envisioned that the teachings of the present invention maybe used with conventional hybrid electric vehicle using gasoline as thecomposition combustible fuel for powering an internal combustion engineand re-chargeable batteries for powering a direct current drive motor.This invention would have application in vehicles having a fuel cell, asa secondary battery source, to re-charge a main power battery.

[0076] It is further envisioned that as fuel converters are developedwhich are able to produce a direct current voltage from organic fuels,such as methanol, that such fuel converters would provide direct currentfor both re-charging a power battery or for directly driving a directcurrent motor to provide the maximum power for concurrently driving themotor vehicle from two or more energy sources.

[0077] All such variations and incorporating of the teachings of presentinvention are envisioned to be covered by and anticipated by theteachings set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hybrid electric vehicle comprising analternating current to direct current converter for producing andstoring a direct current voltage in a direct current voltage storagedevice; a fuel converter for receiving a fuel in a first state andconverting said fuel into a combustible material in a second state andfor storing said combustible material in a combustible material storagedevice; a driving system for transporting a hybrid electric vehicle,said driving system including a direct current motor operatively coupledto said driving system and to said direct current voltage storagedevice, said direct current motor being responsive to a stored directcurrent voltage for driving said driving system in response to a firstcontrol signal; a combustible material engine operatively coupled tosaid driving system and being responsive to stored combustible materialfor driving said driving system in response to a second control signal;and a control device operatively connected to said direct current motorand to said combustible material engine to selectively apply at leastone of said first control signal to said direct current motor and saidsecond control signal to said combustible material engine to enable saiddriving system to be driven by at least one of said direct currentvoltage and said combustible material.
 2. The hybrid electric vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein said control device selectively applies both said firstcontrol signal to said direct current motor and said second controlsignal to said combustible material engine to enable said driving systemto be concurrently driven by said direct current voltage and saidcombustible material.
 3. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 whereinsaid alternating current to direct current converter includes a directcurrent control device for controlling the direct currentcharacteristics of the direct current voltage and for applying saiddirect current voltage having said predetermined characteristics to saiddirect current voltage storage device.
 4. The hybrid electric vehicle ofclaim 1 further comprising a fuel converter for converting an organicfuel in said first state into a combustible material in said secondstate.
 5. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 4 further comprising anorganic fuel storage device located within said hybrid electric vehiclefor storing said organic fuel in a first state and for applying saidorganic fuel in said first state to said fuel converter for convertingsaid organic fuel into said combustible material in said second state.6. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a fuelconverter responsive to an alternating current voltage for convertingfuel in said first state into a combustible material in said secondstate.
 7. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 6 further comprising afuel storage device located within said hybrid electric for storing afuel in a first state and applying a fuel first state to said fuelconverter.
 8. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 6 wherein saidcontrol device enables said fuel converter to respond to an alternatingcurrent voltage for converting said fuel in said first state into acombustible material in said second state and storing said combustiblefuel in said combustible fuel storage device.
 9. The hybrid electricvehicle of claim 1 further comprising a combustible material to directcurrent generator being operatively connected to said combustiblematerial storage device for producing a direct current voltage.
 10. Thehybrid electric vehicle of claim 9 wherein said control device appliessaid direct current voltage to at least one of said direct currentvoltage storage device and said direct current motor.
 11. The hybridelectric vehicle of claim 10 wherein said control device enables theproduction of a direct current voltage from at least one of analternating current source and said combustible material to directcurrent generator.
 12. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 10 whereinsaid control device enables the production of a direct current voltagefrom at least one of an alternating current source and said combustiblematerial to direct current generator and applies the produced directcurrent voltage to said direct current voltage storage device.
 13. Thehybrid electric vehicle of claim 10 wherein said control device enablesthe production of a direct current voltage from at least one of analternating current source and said combustible material to directcurrent generator and applies the produced direct current voltage to atleast one of said direct current motor and said direct current voltagestorage device.
 14. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 13 wherein saidcontrol device applies the produced direct current voltage concurrentlyto said direct current motor and said direct current voltage storagedevice.
 15. A dual fuel source for a motor vehicle comprising analternating current to direct current converting system located on amotor vehicle, said converting system being adapted to receive analternating current voltage and being responsive thereto for producing adirect current voltage; a direct current voltage storage device locatedon said motor vehicle for storing said direct current voltage; a fuelcomposition system located on said motor for converting a compositionfuel in a first state into a combustible fuel in second state; acomposition fuel storage device located on said motor vehicle forstoring said composition fuel; a combustible fuel storage device locatedwithin said motor vehicle for storing said combustible fuel; a drivingmember located within and for driving said motor vehicle, said drivingmember including a direct current drive motor responsive to storeddirect current voltage for driving said driving member in response to afirst control signal; a combustible fuel motor responsive to thecombustible fuel stored in said combustible fuel storage device fordriving said driving member in response to a second control signal; anda control device operatively connected to said direct current drivemotor and to said combustible fuel [motor] engine to selectively applyat least one of said first control signal to said direct drive motor andsaid second control signal to said combustible fuel motor to enable saiddriving member to be driven by at least one of said direct currentvoltage and said combustible fuel.
 16. The hybrid electric vehicle ofclaim 15 wherein said control device selectively applies both said firstcontrol signal to said direct current motor and said second controlsignal to said combustible fuel motor engine to enable said drivingsystem to be concurrently driven by said direct current voltage and saidcombustible fuel.
 17. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 15 whereinsaid alternating current to direct current converter includes a directcurrent control device for controlling the direct currentcharacteristics of the direct current voltage and for applying saiddirect current voltage having said predetermined characteristics to saiddirect current voltage storage device.
 18. The hybrid electric vehicleof claim 15 wherein said composition fuel is gasoline and said fuelconverter converts gasoline in said first state into hydrogen in saidsecond state.
 19. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 15 wherein saidcomposition fuel is an organic fuel and said fuel converter convertssaid an organic fuel in said first state into hydrogen in said secondstate.
 20. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 15 wherein saidcomposition fuel is a water and said fuel converter converts said waterin said first state into hydrogen in said second state.
 21. A motorvehicle having a dual fuel source comprising input located on a motorvehicle adapted to be operatively connected to an alternating currentvoltage source; an alternating current to direct current converterlocated on said motor vehicle and being operatively coupled to saidinput for receiving said alternating current voltage and producing adirect current; a direct current control circuit operatively connectedto said converter for producing a direct current voltage having apredetermined electrical characteristic; a direct current voltagestorage device located on said motor vehicle and operatively connectedto said direct current control circuit for storing said direct currentvoltage; a composition fuel storage device within said motor vehicle forstoring a composition fuel in a first state; a fuel conversion deviceoperatively connected to said composition fuel storage source forreceiving said composition fuel in said first state and converting saidorganic fuel into a combustible fuel in a second state; a combustiblefuel storage device located within said motor vehicle for storing saidcombustible fuel; a driving member located within and for driving saidmotor vehicle, said driving member including a direct current drivemotor responsive to stored direct current voltage for driving saiddriving member in response to a first control signal; a combustible fuelengine responsive to the combustible fuel stored in said combustiblefuel storage device for driving said driving motor in response to asecond control signal; and a control device operatively connected tosaid direct current drive motor and to said combustible fuel engine toselectively apply at least one of said first control signal and saidsecond control signal to said direct current drive motor and to saidcombustible fuel engine to enable said driving member to be driven by atleast one of said direct current voltage and said combustible fuel. 22.The motor vehicle of claim 21 wherein said control device selectivelyapplies both said first control signal to said direct current motor andsaid second control signal to said combustible fuel engine to enablesaid driving system to be concurrently driven by said direct currentvoltage and said combustible fuel.
 23. The hybrid electric vehicle ofclaim 21 wherein said alternating current to direct current converterincludes a direct current control device for controlling the directcurrent characteristics of the direct current voltage and for applyingsaid direct current voltage having said predetermined characteristics tosaid direct current voltage storage device.
 24. A hybrid electricvehicle having a driving system driven by a direct current motor poweredby a battery and a internal combustion engine powered by a combustiblefuel and a Battery charging device adapted to be connected to a sourceof alternating current for charging the battery, said hybrid electricvehicle comprising A fuel converter for receiving a combustible fuel ina first state and converting said combustible fuel into a combustiblematerial in a second state and for storing said combustible material ina combustible material storage device; and A control device operativelyconnected to and controlling said direct current motor for driving saiddriving system in response to a first control signal and saidcombustible material engine for driving said driving system in responseto a second control signal, said control device being adapted toselectively apply at least one of said first control signal to saiddirect current motor and said second control signal to said combustiblematerial engine to enable said driving system to be driven by at leastone of said direct current voltage and said combustible material. 25.The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 24 wherein said combustible fuelconverter is responsive to the source of alternating current forconverting said combustible fuel into a combustible material in a secondstate and for storing said combustible material in a combustiblematerial storage device.
 26. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 25wherein said control device controls the alternating current source toenable the battery charger to charge the battery to a desired charginglevel and the fuel converter to fill the combustible material fuelstorage device to at least one of a desired volume level and desiredweight level.
 27. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim 24 wherein saidcontrol device concurrently applies said first control signal to saiddirect current motor and said second control signal to said combustiblematerial engine to enable said driving system to be driven by both saiddirect current voltage and said combustible material.
 28. The method ofdriving a motor vehicle with alternate fuel sources comprising the stepsof producing with an alternating current to direct current converter adirect current voltage; storing said direct current voltage in a directcurrent voltage storage device; receiving with a fuel converter a fuelin a first state and converting said fuel into a combustible material ina second state; and storing said combustible matter in a combustiblematter storage device.
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising thesteps of transporting with a driving system the motor vehicle whereinsaid driving system includes a direct current motor operatively coupledto said direct current voltage storage device and said direct currentmotor is responsive to stored direct current voltage for driving saiddriving system in response to a first control signal and a combustiblematerial motor operatively coupled to said driving system is responsiveto stored combustible material for driving said driving system inresponse to a second control signal; and selectively applying with acontrol device operatively connected to said direct current motor and tosaid combustible material motor at least one of said first controlsignal to said direct current motor and said second control signal tosaid combustible material motor to enable said driving system to bedriven by at least one of said direct current voltage and saidcombustible material.
 30. The method of claim 29 the step of selectivelyapplying includes said control device selectively applying both saidfirst control signal to said direct current motor and said secondcontrol signal to said combustible material engine to enable saiddriving system to be concurrently driven by said direct current voltageand said combustible material.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein thestep of producing includes using a direct current control device forcontrolling the direct current characteristics of the direct currentvoltage.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of applyingincludes applying said direct current voltage having said predeterminedcharacteristics to said direct current voltage storage device.
 33. Themethod of claim 30 further comprising the step of generating a directcurrent voltage with a combustible fuel to direct current generatorenabling a direct current voltage to be produced from at least one of analternating current source and said combustible fuel.
 34. A hybridelectric vehicle comprising an input plug adapted to receive at leastone of an alternating current voltage for powering a battery chargingcircuit to charge a battery and a fuel converter for generating acombustible fuel to fill a combustible fuel storage device and a directcurrent voltage for directly charging said battery; and an orificeadapted to receive and transport a combustible fuel from a source ofcombustible fuel to a combustible fuel storage device.